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CONFIDENTIAL #
Chapter 2
Review of Past Development and Present Services
2.1
Used in its broadest sense the term "social welfare"
can embrace all efforts in improving health, education, employment,
housing, recreational and cultural services for the community at
large. However, for the purpose of this White Paper, "social
welfare" will be used in a narrower sense as the range of services
provided by the Social Welfare Department and the voluntary welfare
sector. The two essential components are cash payments, generally
known as "social security", and "direct social welfare services" for
specific groups who cannot manage without them. In the case of
services for the elderly, an exception has been made to include
health and housing services in order to present a total picture,
as was done in the Green Paper on Services for the Elderly.
Social Security
2.2
Social security in the form of cash payments was first
introduced in 1971 and replaced the system of basic relief,
principally dry rations and cooked meals, which had been in force
in the 1950's and 1960's
S. The three main schemes that have been
introduced are :
(a)
since 1971 the Public Assistance scheme which
helps on a means-tested but non-contributory basis
those whose income falls below a prescribed level.
Able-bodied unemployed adults between 15 and 55
who were hitherto ineligible for benefits were
brought within the scheme in April 1977 ;
CONFIDENTIAL #3